Metal Detectorist Finds Farmer’s Rolex – 50 Years After it was Eaten by a Cow

A metal detectorist found a farmer’s lost Rolex watch in rural England, 50 years after it disappeared. James Steele lost the watch back in the early 1970s while working on his dairy farm in Shropshire. The strap broke while he was tending to his cattle, and despite searching, he couldn’t find it. Recently, metal detectorist Liam King discovered the Rolex buried in the mud on Steele’s farm. It’s believed a cow might have swallowed it, leading to its eventual discovery in a cow pile.

Steele, who is now 95 years old, was thrilled to have his watch back, which he had bought on his 21st birthday in 1950 for £100 (about £4,500 / $5,700 today). Despite its greenish color from being buried, the watch survived remarkably well. Steele has decided not to repair it due to the cost but plans to keep it as a keepsake. He remembered how disappointed he was when he first lost it, saying he saved up again to buy another one.

Steele’s family expressed gratitude to King for finding the watch and allowing him to search their land for coins. It’s a heartwarming story that shows the enduring connection between a cherished item and its owner over many decades.

Sophia H.